Apparatus for continuously extruding metal



J. P. BURKE March 27, 1956 APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY EXTRUDING METAL Filed April 7, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

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J. P. BURKE March 27, 1956 APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY EXTRUDING METAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 7, 1951 INVENTOR. c a mes @Bar/e,

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APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY EXTRUDING METAL Filed April 7, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR. H Jams) United States Patent C APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY EXTRUDING METAL James P. Burke, Poland, Ohio; Ethel M. Burke, executrix of said James P. Burke, deceased, assignor to Ethel M. Burke, Poland, Ohio Application April 7, 1951, Serial. No. 219361.

6 Claims. (Cl. 207-2) This invention relates to the continuous formation of a metal shape directly from molten metal and more particularly to apparatus for continuously receiving molten metal, chilling it to a plastic state and extruding it through a reduced orifice to continuously form a metal shape of desired configuration.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for continuously forming a metal shape from molten metal.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for'extruding metal while in a plastic state by alternately raising the apparatus and dropping it against a fixed bumper whereby an extrusion impact is imparted the metal in the apparatus.

It has heretofore been proposed to continuously extrude metal and such proposals have incorporated apparatus wherein molten metal is poured in a vertical mold and withdrawn from the bottom of the mold either by engagement with a movable plunger or by engaging the extruded product with pinch rolls or the like. Such apparatus has provided, in addition to the direct mechanical means for moving the extruded product, means for alternately moving the extruding chamber or a liner thereof in a reciprocal motion to tend to prevent the metal from freezing to the mold. It is well known that such apparatus as has heretofore been proposed in the art has failed in actual commercial practice.

The present invention relates to apparatus which can be commercially operated to produce a continuously extruded metal shape by providing a vessel into which the molten metal may be poured and cooled to a plastic state and from which vessel the plastic material can forcefully be ejected so as to extrude the same through a restricted opening or die therein. The apparatus incorporates means for imparting extrusion pressure to the plastic metal through the simple expedient of moving the vessel upwardly and then bringing the vessel downwardly against a fixed bumper or other object so that the inertia of the plastic metal in the vessel causes a portion thereof to be extruded through the restricted orifice or die thereof.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being the intention to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus for continuously extruding metal.

Figure 2 is a side view. Line 1-1 on figure 2 indicates the section of figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of figure 1.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic elevation of another portion of the apparatus disclosed in figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5- is a diagrammatic elevation of a modified form of apparatus for continuously extruding metal.

By referring to the drawings and figure 1 in particular it will be seen that a vessel is disclosed the walls of which are cored as at 11 for the passage of a temperature controlling medium. The vessel 10 is provided with a flared top 12 into which molten metal M such as steel may be poured as from a ladle 13. The vessel 10 is of a height sufiicient so that a pool of fluid metal M may be. formed in the upper portion thereof. The pool of molten metal is indicated by horizontally positioned broken lines- The lower portion of the vessel 10 is preferably of a smaller diameter than the upper portion and encloses a pool of plastic metal PM indicated by horizontal crossv section lines. The lowermost portion of the vessel 10 is open and an annular cavity 14 is formed therein which communicates with the interior of the vessel 10, and which is adapted to position a die 15 which is secured to the vessel 10 by suitable means such as the fasteners 16 illustrated.

The die 15 includes an opening 17 which is of a desired. shape and through which the plastic metal PM is extruded.

The vessel 10, including the die 15, is supported on an! elevated base 18 by resilient means such as springs 19 and held in vertical alignment with the base 18 by a plurality of guide pins 20 which are secured to the vessel and depend therefrom and slidably engage openings 21 in the elevated base 18. The elevated base 18 has a cenr trally disposed orifice 22 therein in vertical alignment with the opening 17 in the die 15 so that a column of metal EM extruded by the die 17 may pass downwardly through the orifice 22 and into the area beneath the ele vated base 18.

Electromagnets 23 are positioned one on either side of the orifice 22in the base 18, the core portions 24 of the electromagnets 23 being in proximity to the bottom of the vessel It) so that the same can be pulled downwardly thereagainst by magnetic attraction when the electromagnets 23 are energized. The cores 24 of the electromagnets 23 are secured to the base 18 as by fasteners 25;

By referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings it will be observed that the electromagnets 23 are positioned in oppositely disposed relation with respect to the orifice 22 and that bumpers 26 are also positioned on the base 18 and secured thereto by fasteners 27 and in oppositely disposed relation to one another. The bumpers 26 include vertically standing portions of a height slightly greater than the cores 24 of the electromagnets 23 and with the cores 24 form means against which the vessel 10 may be engaged.

In Figure 3- of the drawings means for alternately energizing and de-energizing the electromagnets 23 is illustrated and comprises circuit wires 28 and 29 connected with a source of direct current. The circuit wires 28 in clude an interrupter 30 arranged for alternate make and break contact as imparted thereto by a motor driven cam 31. It will thus be seen that molten metal M poured into the vessel 10 may be initially held in the vessel 10 as by a temporary stopper closing the orifice 17 in the die 15. At such time as the molten metal M has become plastic metal PM, operation of the motor driven cam 31 will alternately energize and tie-energize the electromagnets 23 and cause the vessel 10 to move up and down. .The vessel 10 will be lifted by the resilient means 19 and moved downwardly against the bumpers 26 by the attraction of the electromagnets and brought into forcible engagement with the bumpers 26 with a jolt or bump resulting in the inertia of the plastic metal PM in the vessel moving outwardly through the die orifice 17 in an extruding action. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the continuous energization and de-energization of the electromagnets 23 will cause a continuous alternate up and down motion of the vessel 16, each downward motion thereof being terminated by an abrupt stop as occasioned by engagement with the bumpers 26 and that the inertia imparted the metal will therefore form a practically continuous extruding operation with respect to the plastic metal in the vessel.

In Figure 4 of the drawings means for controlling the continuous casting or extruding operation may be seen. It will be observed that a thermocouple 32 is positioned in the vessel adjacent the die and operatively connected with a speed changer which in turn controls a variable speed motor 34 operating a cam 35 similar to the motor driven cam 31 heretofore referred to. The device illustrated in Figure 4 is modified to incorporate an alternating current magnet 36, the winding 37 of which is connected by circuit wires 33 and 39 with the speed changer 33 and by way of an interrupter 4 3. The interrupter 40 is actuated by the cam 35 and operates to alternately energize and de-energize the alternating current magnet 36. in the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 4- of the drawings the remaining construction is exactly the same as that shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 hereinbefore described. In Figure 4 an application of the column of extruded metal PM may be seen in that it may be passed over an idler 41 through a reheating chamber 42 and directly into finishing or reducing rolls 43 as desired.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the speed changer 33 is responsive in operation to the thermocouple 32 and that the action of the speed changer 33 is to control the speed of the variable speed motor 34. The end result of this control is to vary the number of extrusion impulses imparted the vessel as heretofore described. Alternately the speed changer 33 can comprise an alternating current frequency changer and directly control the cycle of the alternating current magnet 36. In such event the motor 34, cam 35 and interrupter 40 would not be included in the circuit as the frequency of the extrusion impulses imparted the vessel would be determined by the cycle of the alternating current supplied the magnets 36. In either event the temperature of the plastic metal in the vessel affecting the thermocouple directly controls the speed of the extrusion impulses irnparted the vessel and the device thus automatically extrudes the metal from the vessel at a rate consistent with the temperature of the plastic metal therein.

By referring to Figure 5 of the drawings a further modification in the apparatus may be seen tobe illustrated and specifically to comprise a metal receiving body 44, the upper portion of which includes a chamber 45' of greater diameter than the lower portion which defines a chamber 46. A fluid passageway 47 is formed in the walls of the metal receiving body 44 for the circulation of a coolant therethrough. Circulating pipes 48 and 49 are shown in communication with the passageways 47 so that a coolant may be supplied thereto and removed therefrom. A thermostatically controlled valve 51} is interposed in the line 49 so that the circulation of the coolant may be automatically controlled as, for example, by known means responsive to a thermocouple 51 located in the lower portion of the metal receiving chamber 44 and adjacent an extrusion die 52 which forms a restricted orifice with respect to the chamber 46 heretofore referred to. I

It will be observed that molten metal positioned in the chamber 45 Will flow downwardly into the chamber 46 where it will be partially solidified so as to be plastic and thereby capable of being extruded through the extrusion die 52 in a desirable cross sectional shape. The metal receiving body 44 is mounted on a plurality of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies which in turn are positioned on a base 53. The hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies include cylinders 54 having pistons 55 operating vertically out of their uppermost ends and directly supporting the metal receiving body 44. Vertically standing body members 56 are positioned on the base 53 and have cutaway areas in their oppositely disposed sides forming stops 57 against which the metal receiving body 46 is adapted to rest when in lowermost position. it is normally supported in position above the stops 57 as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, on the pistons 55 which are directly opposed by springs 58 engaged against inturned upper ends of the body members 56 which include downward extensions 59 acting as stops limiting the upward travel of the body member 44. It will thus occur to those skilled in the art that the body member 44 may be moved vertically in a reciprocal movement between the stops 57 and 59 and that such movement imparted the body member 44 will result in alternately lifting and dropping the metal in the chambers 45 and 46 of the body member 44 so that an extruding action is obtained with respect to the extrusion die 52.

Means for imparting the rapid reciprocating movement to the body member 44 is provided and comprises a hydraulic system including a fluid reservoir 60, a pump 61, an accumulator 62 and a cycling valve 63. The reservoir 60, pump 61, accumulator 62 and valve 63 are in communication with one another by hydraulic lines 64 which also communicate directly with the cylinders 54. As illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings suitable hydraulic pressure is being maintained by the pump 61 by way of the hydraulic line 64 on the cylinders 54 so that the pistons 55 hold the body member 44 in elevated position withrespect to the stops 57.

The cycling valve 55 is operated by a motor 65 which is a variahle speed motor and as the valve 63 alternately opens and closes, hydraulic impulses are conveyed to the pistons 555 which are thereby moved upwardly and downwardly as pressure is alternately raised and lowered thus serving to elevate the body member 44 and drop it against the stops This action is facilitated by the springs 58 and results in a desirable motion suitable for extruding plastic metal in the chamber 46 through the orifice of the extrusion die 52. The frequency of the impulses of the hydraulic system is controlled by the thermocouple 51 and a speed control device 66 such as known in the art which acts as a controller for the motor 65 and speeds it up or slows it down responsive to the temperature indicated by the thermocouple 51. Higher temperatures of plastic metal in the chamber 46 serve to slow down motor 65' and the number of hydraulic impulses in the hydraulic line 64 while lower temperatures in the chamber 46 serve to speed up the motor 65 and the numher of impulses in the hydraulic line 64.

Circuit wires 67 connect the thermocouple 51 with the speed control device 66. Circuit wires 63 supply the device with energy. Circuit wires 6 connect the motor 65 with the control device 66 and circuit wires 70 connect the thermostatic valve fill with the control device 66 and the thermocouple control wires 67.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the fluid metal deposited in the chamber 45 becomes plastic in the chamber by reason of the coolant action which is directly controlled by the temperature of the plastic metal as aforesaid. Further, the rate ofv discharge of the metal by the alternate up and down bumping action of the body member 44 against the stops 5'7 as occasioned by the hydraulic system and the cycling valve 63 is also controlled by the temperature of the metal so that metal of a desirable temperature and consistency is extruded at a ate consistent therewith.

it will thus be seen that a simple and cflicient method of continuously extruding molten metal such as steel has been closed which may be advantageously used in the direct production of desirable shapes and in a continuous production process.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Apparatus for forming a metal shape of elongated L th form from a supply of molten metal comprising, a vessel adapted to receive and hold a body of molten metal, said vessel having an outlet orifice in its lower portion, a support, means mounting the vessel on the support for movement relative thereto, means for causing oscillation of the vessel relative to the support, and bumper means engageable by the vessel at one limit of its oscillating movement to impart an impact thereto and cause successive increments of the metal to be extruded through said outlet orifice upon successive impacts in the form of an elongated metal shape having substantially the cross sectional configuration of said orifice.

2. Apparatus for forming a metal shape of elongated form from a supply of molten metal comprising, a vessel adapted to receive and hold a body of molten metal, said vessel having an outlet orifice in its lower portion, a support, means mounting the vessel on the support for movement relative thereto, means for causing oscillation of the vessel relative to the support, bumper means engageable by the vessel at one limit of its oscillating movement to impart an impact thereto and cause successive increments of the metal to be extruded through said outlet orifice upon successive impacts in the form of an elongated metal shape having substantially the cross sectional configuration of said orifice, and means controlling the tempera ture of the metal in the vessel to cause the metal in the lower part of the vessel and adjacent the outlet orifice to partially solidify.

3. Apparatus for forming a metal shape of elongated form from a supply of molten metal comprising, a vessel adapted to receive and hold a body of molten metal, said vessel having an outlet orifice in its lowest portion, a support, means mounting the vessel on the support for movement relative thereto, means for causing oscillation of the vessel relative to the support, bumper means engageable by the vessel at one limit of its oscillating movement to impart an impact thereto and cause successive increments of the metal to be extruded through said outlet orifice upon successive impacts in the form of an elongated metal shape having substantially the cross sectional configura tion of said orifice, and means controlled by the temperature of the metal in the vessel to increase the rate of oscillation with relatively lower temperature of the metal and to decrease the rate of oscillation with relatively higher temperature of the metal.

4. Apparatus for forming a metal shape of elongated form from a supply of molten metal comprising, a vessel adapted to receive and hold a body of molten metal, said vessel having an outlet orifice in its lower portion, a support, means mounting the vessel on the support in an upright position and for movement relative to the support, means for causing oscillation of the vessel relative to the support in an up and down direction, and bumper means engageable by the vessel and limiting its movement downwardly to impart an impact thereto and cause successive increments of the metal to be extruded through said outlet orifice upon successive impacts in the form of an elongated metal shape having substantially the cross sec tional configuration of said orifice.

5. The apparatus as described in claim 4 characterized in that there is means for controlling the temperature of the metal in the vessel to cause the metal in the lower part of the vessel and adjacent the outlet to partially solidify.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5 characterized in that there is means controlled by the temperature of the metal in the vessel to increase the rate of oscillation with relatively lower temperature and decrease the rate of oscillation with relatively higher temperature.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS l,l38,457 Dahlmeyer May 4, 1915 1,385,595 Van Raust July 26, 1921 1,817,301 Dunsheath Aug. 4, 1931 1,839,421 Singer Ian. 5, 1932 1,924,294 Shirk et a1. Aug. 29, 1933 2,130,202 Tama Sept. 13, 1938 2,135,183 Junghans Nov. 1, 1938 2,142,703 Sparks Jan. 3, 1939 2,597,046 Sendzimir May 20, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 221,652 Switzerland Sept. 1, 1942 266,716 Switzerland May 1, 1950 

1. APPARATUS FOR FORMING A METAL SHAPE OF ELONGATED FORM FROM A SUPPLY OF MOLTEN METAL COMPRISING, A VESSEL ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND HOLD A BODY OF MOLTEN METAL, SAID VESSEL HAVING AN OUTLET ORIFICE IN ITS LOWER PORTION, A SUPPORT, MEANS MOUNTING THE VESSEL ON THE SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO, MEANS FOR CAUSING OSCILLATION OF THE VESSEL RELATIVE TO THE SUPPORT, AND BUMPER MEANS ENGAGEABLE BY THE VESSEL AT ONE LIMIT OF ITS OSCILLATING MOVEMENT TO IMPART AN IMPACT THERETO AND CAUSE SUCCESSIVE INCREMENTS OF THE METAL TO BE EXTRUDED THROUGH SAID OUTLET ORIFICE UPON SUCCESSIVE IMPACTS IN TH FORM OF AN ELONGATED METAL SHAPE HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY THE CROSS SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION OF SAID ORIFICE. 